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Re: Age impact on language learner strategies

Well for what it's worth, I've found that there are two great age groups. Those in Grade 4 and below (aged on average 9.5 or less) and those in Grade 5 and above. The latter can be taught using many fun methods, including games, but are unable to focus upon or understand the more disciplined strategies that attack skills more intensively. In Grade 5 and above, I found the pupils are generally able to absorb all teaching strategies, including lesson types that had been designed with secondary students in mind. Not that I would suggest doing a lot of that sort of work -- compositions, language laboratory drills, etc.

Re: Age impact on language learner strategies

It's just an idea for my coming research paper. I plan to study on different age groups. Children and adolescence. Is it possible? I'm just in planning process. I haven't done any experiments yet. Do you think the topic is interesting?
I have to submit a research proposal to my professor; and I am looking for a good topic to study on.

Re: Age impact on language learner strategies

Originally Posted by Tdol

It's a good topic, but I was just wondering whether you were going to include adults.

Thank you very much. I am going to include both children and adult. I am wondering whether "age impact on language learner strategies" is too specific. Should I replace it by "age impact on second language acquisition"? But "second language acquisition" is too general?

Re: Age impact on language learner strategies

Originally Posted by Jenny Nguyen

Thank you very much. I am going to include both children and adult. I am wondering whether "age impact on language learner strategies" is too specific. Should I replace it by "age impact on second language acquisition"? But "second language acquisition" is too general?

I guess you know that the "critical age" theory has taken a bit of a beating in the last 40 years. There seems to be a slower deterioration than first thought of the ability to "learn like a child", and it might extend into adolescence. Also it's been found that even though adults don't have the plasticity of neuronal connections that little children do, their ability to process abstract information and to think logically can make up for that.

This comes from Ellis, Rod. The Study of Second Language Acquisition, Oxford, 2nd Ed, 2008.

Re: Age impact on language learner strategies

Originally Posted by Raymott

I guess you know that the "critical age" theory has taken a bit of a beating in the last 40 years. There seems to be a slower deterioration than first thought of the ability to "learn like a child", and it might extend into adolescence. Also it's been found that even though adults don't have the plasticity of neuronal connections that little children do, their ability to process abstract information and to think logically can make up for that.

This comes from Ellis, Rod. The Study of Second Language Acquisition, Oxford, 2nd Ed, 2008.

Thank you for your in formation. Yes, I agree. younger is better because of the flexibility of the brain. Older is better because they use meta- awareness to analyze prefixes, suffixes, structure. However, I wonder there are any theories about age impact on the use of language learner strategies.

Re: Age impact on language learner strategies

I have just googled "effect of age on language learning" and got 23 million hits! I glanced briefly down the first page and at the first article, and got the impression that there might be some useful material for you there.